Recommended by Locals: Where Almaty’s Chefs Eat

Sous Chef, Gulfairus

For more formal meetings, I tend to choose Astra Grand Cafe or Spiros. Astra is where I go for cocktails and atmosphere; Spiros, when the goal is to sit down, eat well and talk without the usual noise and distractions. If I need to spend a few hours working from my laptop, my go-to spots are Nedelka and Cafeteria — both strike that rare balance of being comfortable, calm and unhurried.

As a diner, I’m not looking for perfection — I go where the food is good, the atmosphere feels right and the place suits the moment. For coffee, it is always Julius. They serve some of the best coffee in the city. If I have time for a proper meal during the day, I head to Jose Josper for the ribeye. I like it when meat is not overcomplicated: a quality cut, cooked properly, is often all you need.

With friends, I usually end up at places like Shipudim and Laffa. They are less about gastronomy and more about atmosphere — charcoal-grilled meat, a lively room and conversations that stretch for hours. Sometimes that is exactly what you need, and far more satisfying than the most elaborate cooking.

Fika is one of those places I find myself returning to again and again. It works equally well for breakfast, a coffee or a matcha, and the pastry selection is consistently excellent. The bread is particularly worth mentioning — good enough to take home — and by evening, the terrace settles into a completely different rhythm, becoming an easy, welcoming place to gather with friends. Hanok Family is one of my favourite Korean restaurants in the city. The service is consistently strong, the rolls are excellent, and the bibimbap is prepared in the traditional style: mixed tableside in a sizzling cast-iron bowl that keeps the dish hot from the first bite to the last. As in Korea, the meal begins with complimentary banchan — a selection of small side dishes served by the house and one of those details that immediately sets the tone for the experience.

Skyberry is just around the corner from where I live, so I often stop by for coffee before or after the gym, or settle in for breakfast. The menu is remarkably broad, with lighter morning options such as the «Champion’s Breakfast» and a protein-focused breakfast that fit perfectly into my schedule. For coffee, I regularly head to Urban Coffee. It started as a quick stop for a drink, but over time it has become a place where I meet friends for breakfast and occasionally end up staying well into the evening. The loyalty programme is a nice touch, but what stands out most is the people. The team is consistently warm, attentive and welcoming. Perhaps they recognise me because I live nearby, but there is a genuine sense of hospitality that makes every visit feel personal.

Executive Pastry Chef of Auyl, Spiros, Palomar, Jinau and Ogonyok

Sous Chef, Gulfairus Head Chef, Ogonyok

Fika used to seem a bit too fashionable for my taste, but now it is my go-to breakfast place. It is also probably the first spot where I have been recognised consistently as a regular, which is always nice. My standard order is eggs Benedict with salmon, a beetroot booster, and either a filter coffee or tea with lemon. I still wish they had not taken the roasted pepper and smoked suluguni sandwich off the menu — it was absolutely brilliant.

Domashniy is usually my choice when I am meeting friends or colleagues. It is the kind of place where you can put on your own music, dance, sing along and feel completely at ease. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the team is incredibly open, approachable and always up for a new idea or collaboration. Above all, it is a place to unwind and enjoy a genuinely good conversation.

I have a real weakness for shashlik — I simply cannot resist it. In Almaty, there are three places that do it exceptionally well. The first is Venezia, where I even celebrated my wedding with a proper feast. If you manage to get a table on the terrace, the setting is hard to beat: the sound of the river, the aroma of meat on the grill — everything comes together perfectly. At Dato, I always order the entrecôte and the Tango with Butter salad. Both are outstanding. And when I am in the mood for pork, I head to Maryina Roshcha — and make sure to request a song to match the mood.

For burgers and beer, it is always Red Beer. Great bar, great people. In my opinion, the burgers are the best in the city — I have converted plenty of friends into regulars. Add a pint, a game of pool and the legendary Daler at the door, and that is pretty much the jackpot. Masisso is a slightly chaotic place with somewhat unpredictable service, but the food more than makes up for it. After a trip to Seoul, I fell in love with Korean barbecue and tabletop grills, so I was genuinely excited to find a place like this in Almaty. I regularly come here with friends to grill meat. Order the beef set, add all the toppings that come with it, wrap everything in a lettuce leaf, and you are in business. I am originally from St Petersburg and still miss shawarma the way we know it back home. The closest version I have found — and probably the best döner in the city — is at Das Dönerhaus. No fries inside, just great fillings and excellent sauces.

Brand Chef, Shchuka Bistro

There are so many remarkable places in the city that it is difficult to single out any one restaurant. What matters more to me are the people behind them — those who build thoughtful concepts and approach their craft with genuine precision and care. One such person is Sveta Khaninaeva. The way she works with meat is exactly how it should be: honest, straightforward and deeply confident, without leaning on the language of fine dining. Her food has a clear point of view and a style that is entirely her own. Another is Taras Korchagin of Beefeater and Nuala. He produces exceptional delicacies with complete integrity — no gimmicks, no unnecessary complications, just a consistently excellent product.

The first place I would mention is Akku. The pastries are always fresh, consistently excellent and there is always plenty to choose from. Tangiers Lounge is my go-to spot when getting together with a group. The rolls are outstanding, the shisha is excellent and the honey cake is hard to beat. It is a great place to relax and spend time with friends. My wife and I often go to Syo-Syo because of its consistently high standards and excellent food. It is one of those places we keep coming back to. If I had to pick favourites from the menu, they would be the tempura prawns, the ramen and the Berlin noodles.

Head Chef, Renée Café

Photos: restaurant websites and social media; Yandex Maps

For burgers and beer, Red Beer is hard to beat. The atmosphere is just as good as the food. That said, Ogonyok also serves a seriously good burger. As for traditional cuisine, one of the best beshbarmaks I have tried is on the second floor of Green Bazaar. The broth is particularly memorable — rich, full of flavour and beautifully made. On top of that, there is something special about sitting there and watching the life of the market carry on around you while you eat.

When I’m on the other side of the table, I tend to gravitate towards the simplest — and often slightly odd — places, usually the kind whose names I do not even know. The best beshbarmak, for example, is on the second floor of Green Bazaar. The best shashlik is, naturally, at Shashlychnaya na Kirova. And when it comes to atmosphere, nothing comes close to Syo-Syo. That is probably what I love most about food. The strongest dining memories rarely have anything to do with a striking sign outside or a carefully designed interior.